Open day look at Ui Church safeguards

An ongoing battle has been waged over the last few years to keep an ancient Lewis building from falling into the sea.

The Ui Church at the Point end of the Braighe is one of the most important archaeological sites on Lewis.

It was the main church on the Island during the medieval period and is a burial place for Macleod chiefs and the Mackenzies who controlled the island in later years.

But her long years of standing up against the worst of Outer Hebrides’ weather had begun to take its toll and erosion meant this prominent landmark’s survival was jeopardised.

Professional advice was sought by the Urras Eaglais na h-Aoidhe (the charitable trust responsible for the church) to strengthen the building and it was decided to insert piles between the church and the sea providing a protective barrier for the eroded seawall.

The area was filled with stones and the level of the path was raised to nearer the base of the church. A wooden rail finishes the top of the piles.

Now the public can see for themselves the safeguarding work at an open day at Eaglais na h-Aoidhe on Saturday 18th July, from 10am to 4pm.

During the open day trust directors and an archaeologist will be available to answer questions and to listen to your ideas for the future.

There will be an opportunity to buy books about the church and other gifts and Urras Eaglais na h-Aoidhe are planning some activities for children.